Next are Osram Opto Semiconductors' Displix Black & Displix Blackprint Multichip LEDs for use in outdoor displays, which typically experience harsh conditions. These LEDs offer high resolution and intensity while withstanding high humidity levels, changes in temperature, and heavy rain.

Finally, Banner's SureCross B2Q Gateway module, for use with their SureCross Q45 wireless sensor family, offers a cost-efficient design with a single board and wireless modular controller.

Tolomatic's stainless-steel ERD electric cylinders with optional reverse-parallel motor mounts are for food and beverage and washdown environments, where corrosion resistance, compact size, and flexible motor sizing are important features. The reverse-parallel motor mount reduces the length of the actuator to fit in tighter spaces, and belt reduction options offer flexibility in sizing the motor. In addition to presenting a more compact package, the addition of a rear clevis pivot mount provides greater mounting versatility.

The ERD is an economical rod-style electric actuator series designed as an alternative to pneumatic cylinders and an option for automating manual processes. The stainless-steel construction options are suitable for a wide variety of food and beverage applications, including volumetric filling, slicing, cutting, product changeovers, diverting/sorting, and packaging. The actuators can be built to order in stroke lengths up to 24 inches (609.6mm) and shipped in five days.

The ERD electric cylinders with reverse-parallel motor mounts are available in two body sizes that are approximately equivalent to 1.5-inch (38.1mm) and 2-inch (50.8mm) bore pneumatic cylinders. The actuators are available with forces up to 500 lb (2,224 N) and speeds up to 40-inch/sec (101.6cm/sec). The ERD in the reverse-parallel configuration is compatible with most NEMA and metric mount stepper and servo motors to create a flexible, powerful electric actuator solution.

All ERD products are round bodied. The rear head of the actuator features an oversized main bearing to accommodate high thrust loads and provide long life. The main tube and thrust tube are made of stainless steel for high rigidity and corrosion resistance, while the metric-threaded nose mount accepts a jam nut that provides convenient mounting for many applications. Mounting options include a rear trunnion mount, foot mounts, or a front flange mount.

The ERD electric cylinders can accommodate six different sensing or switching choices: reed, solid state PNP (sourcing) or solid state NPN (sinking), normally open, flying leads, or quick-disconnect. The switches are activated by a standard internal magnet located inside the thrust tube. Commonly used for end-of-stroke positioning, these switches allow clamp-on installation anywhere along the actuator tube. All switches are CE rated and are RoHS compliant for environmental compatibility.

Osram Opto Semiconductors developed the new Displix black and Displix blackprint multichip LEDs to meet the unique environmental demands of large-format outdoor displays typically used at rock concerts, sporting events, or for perimeter advertising. These robust, high-contrast, and high-power LEDs can withstand high humidity levels, wide fluctuations in temperature, and even torrential rain.

Completely agree with Cabe. As the concept of the internet of things becomes even more a reality, sensors and communitating with them is key for data acquisition as well as maintenance and more. Optimizing standards will make the effort to bring all online more efficiently and keep them online as well. And it's across multiple markets and application areas. IEEE and the task groups have their work cut out for them.

When I attended Sensor-Expo in Chicago this past year, 2012, I realized wireless sensing will soon be standard. It is time to hop aboard that bus, immediately. Remote data aquisition and management were the dreams of the past, now a complete reality. Isn't that how we can tour and test the surface of Mars? It only makes sense to do it here too.

It won't be too much longer and hardware design, as we used to know it, will be remembered alongside the slide rule and the Karnaugh map. You will need to move beyond those familiar bits and bytes into the new world of software centric design.

People who want to take advantage of solar energy in their homes no longer need to install a bolt-on solar-panel system atop their houses -- they can integrate solar-energy-harvesting shingles directing into an existing or new roof instead.

Kaspersky Labs indicated at its February meeting that cyber attacks are far more sophisticated than previous thought. It turns out even air-gapping (disconnecting computers from the Internet to protect against cyber intrusion) isn’t a foolproof way to avoid getting hacked. And Kaspersky implied the NSA is the smartest attacker.

Focus on Fundamentals consists of 45-minute on-line classes that cover a host of technologies. You learn without leaving the comfort of your desk. All classes are taught by subject-matter experts and all are archived. So if you can't attend live, attend at your convenience.